Market Trends of United States Cellulose Acetate Industry
High Demand for Cellulose Acetate Fibers
- Cellulose acetate fibers have a high sheen and are mainly used in producing easy-care garments and inner linings. Besides, these materials are also known to be breathable, absorbent, and comfortable, which are preferred by top designers worldwide.
- These fibers can also be dyed in different colors and combined with other fibers like cotton, rayon, wool, silk, etc.
- According to data from the International Trade Centre, the United States is the world's largest exporter of cellulose acetate filament yarn. As of 2022, the country exported 29.52 kilotons of yarn, showcasing a growth of nearly 8% compared to the previous year. High exports indicate the prominent production of these materials in the country.
- Another prominent usage of cellulose acetate fibers is cellulose diacetate tow (bundle of fibers) as a principal material for cigarette filters. The filter tow aids in the removal of tar while maintaining a favorable taste to the smoker.
- Cigarettes are still the most commonly used tobacco product in the United States. However, the year-on-year growth has been declining owing to increased consumer awareness over its harmful repercussions on health and government regulations to restrict the usage of the product.
- All the aforementioned factors largely influence the demand for cellulose acetate in the form of fibers in the United States.
Cigarette is the Largest Application Segment in the United States
- A cigarette comprises four major components, namely, filter, tobacco, additives, and cigarette wrappers. Cigarette filters are designed to absorb vapors and accumulate particulate smoke components. Filters also prevent tobacco from entering a smoker's mouth and provide a mouthpiece that will not collapse as the cigarette is smoked.
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking leads to nearly 480,000 deaths in the United States every year; however, this can be prevented if adequate measures of prevention and control are practiced by the government or any related authorities.
- As per data released in the Global Smoking Report, the top five states with the highest smoking rates in the United States in 2022 were West Virginia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Ohio, and Mississippi.
- However, the year-on-year smoking rate in the United States has been declining owing to the prohibitions by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on its usage and rising concern over the health of the citizens.
- Though the smoking rate has been declining, the cigarette segment still stands to be the dominating application segment in the country.